Maseru, Feb. 24 — Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Deputy Principal Secretary Ms. Mahlape Ramoseme has described data as the lifeblood of policy saying without reliable statistics, they cannot measure progress, identify gaps or design effective interventions.
She made the remarks during the official launch of a three year project termed Equitable Lesotho aimed at reducing multidimensional poverty among Basotho by strengthening the National Statistical System in Lesotho funded by the European Union (EU) to the tune of EUR 1,800,000 (M34,123,320.00) while implemented by Expertise France with INSEE (French National Statistical Institute) through a long-term technical assistance embedded within the Bureau of Statistics (BoS) as the main beneficiary.
She said the project will ensure that Lesotho’s data is not only accurate but also inclusive and accessible which she said will help strengthen governance, service delivery improved and citizens empowered.
She said the project represents a milestone in the national journey to enhance equity, inclusion and evidence based development.
She said what cannot be measured, cannot be improved saying this initiative ensures that government decisions are guided by evidence and not assumptions and that every Mosotho man, woman, child and person with disability is counted and considered.
She indicated that Lesotho faces profound challenges including widespread poverty estimated at 49%, high inequality 44.9%, increasing youth unemployment 38%, persisting gender-based violence prevalence for women aged 15-49 years (41%) and the marginalization of persons with disabilities saying with the right tools, partnerships and the right vision they can transform these challenges into pathways for progress.
On the other hand, EU Ambassador Ms. Mette Sunnergren said supporting statistical systems is vital for fostering transparency, accountability and informed decision-making across nations saying reliable statistical data is the backbone of effective governance, enabling policymakers to develop strategies that truly resonate with community needs.
She said the EU has consistently championed the enhancement of statistical systems worldwide saying these efforts underscore their commitment to strengthening institutional capacities, ensuring sustainable development and driving positive societal change through the power of comprehensive and precise data.
She noted that their emphasis is on gathering quality, gender sensitive data that speaks to the challenges faced by citizens in Lesotho with the highlight on the importance of gender equality.
“Reliable and accurate data collection is extremely important in informing our actions and advocating for meaningful change. It is crucial to emphasise the importance of coordination among all institutions involved as effective communication and collaboration are key to ensuring that our efforts are aligned, enhancing the overall impact of the programme”, she said.
She expressed acknowledgement of the upcoming Housing and Population Census saying it is a vital tool for gathering comprehensive data across the nation but indicated that the Census must not disrupt the activities of their programme.
She urged all to utilise this opportunity to harness their collective strengths, working together to ensure that data collection is a powerful tool for promoting inclusion and gender mainstreaming in Lesotho.
The Equitable Lesotho Project commenced in September 2025 and will end in 2028.
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